Echo Ridge Stables offering first March break riding camp

Breadalbane
Saddle up kids, a new March break horse camp is being offered at Echo Ridge Stables.
Laura Fanning, owner and operator of Echo Ridge, is excited to hold a March break camp for the first time.
"I held summer camps last year and I had so much fun doing it that I thought I would try holding one over March break this year," said Fanning, member of Equine Canada and Coaching Association of Canada.
The camp is designed to give kids a foundation of basic western riding. Throughout each day riders will water and feed the horses, learn about stable management, take a ground-handling lesson, and of course do lots of riding.
As an English professor at the University of Prince Edward Island, Fanning teaches riding lessons on the side to share her love of horses with others.
"I've been around horses my whole life and I love western riding," she said.
She began giving lessons about a year ago to six riders and has progressed into now teaching 21 riders.
"I teach riders of all levels and all ages. I have some as young as six and others that are 60," she said.
Riders currently taking lessons from Laura suggested to her that she should hold a camp over March break and she thought it was a great idea.
"I really try and make it enjoyable for everyone. My motto is to teach people to have fun and be safe around horses," said Fanning.
She insists on doing all of her teaching through games and playful competitions. She feels lessons should be stress-free and relaxing for both the riders and the horses. She even likes to incorporate music into her lessons.
"Horses react to music," she said. "They pick up their gate with an upbeat tempo and trot to the rhythm of the music."
Fanning said her goal of the camp is to have riders ride well and with confidence.
She is welcoming eight kids between the ages of eight and 13 from Mar. 15 to 19. Cost is $225 for the week.
Echo Ridge Stables is located in Breadalbane. Contact Fanning at 621-0311 for more information or to register.